diff --git a/backend/app/tasks/tts_synthesis.py b/backend/app/tasks/tts_synthesis.py
index 53a28b5..adafcd4 100644
--- a/backend/app/tasks/tts_synthesis.py
+++ b/backend/app/tasks/tts_synthesis.py
@@ -454,7 +454,8 @@ def parse_ad_cues(vtt_content: str) -> list[dict]:
         if " --> " in line:
             timing_parts = line.split(" --> ")
             start_time = _parse_timestamp(timing_parts[0].strip())
-            end_time = _parse_timestamp(timing_parts[1].strip())
+            # Strip cue settings (e.g. "line:0% align:start") from end timestamp
+            end_time = _parse_timestamp(timing_parts[1].strip().split()[0])
 
             # Get text from next line(s)
             i += 1